In a world filled with black guns and tactical accouterments it can be hard to determine what’s good-to-go. With the aim of recommending truly squared-away configured firearms on a budget, I’ve been busy testing optics of late. Most recently, that time has been spent in the red dot arena. Aimpoint and Eotech are great optics—no doubt. I personally have an Aimpoint on my rifle. However, neither of those manufacturers are what I would consider “budget oriented.” When trying to balance cost with quality, Bushnell and Vortex are two manufacturers that begin to rise to the surface. Specifically, the budget-oriented shooter may be well served by paying special attention to Bushnell’s TRS-25 and TRS-32 and, in addition, Vortex’s Sparc and Strikefire. I believe all four of these options to be squared away red dot sights.
Today I’d like to highlight the merits of the Bushnell TRS-32 and TRS-25. The “32” and “25” refer to the diameter of the TRS series optics.
Both the TRS-25 and 32 are multi-coated, with amber-bright lens coatings. The TRS-25 boasts a 3,000-hour battery life. The TRS-32 operates at a comparable time. Both sights are constructed with coatings, gaskets, and o-rings to render them water proof, fog proof, and relatively shock proof.
Notably, the TRS-25 will dial all the way down to a 3 MOA red dot while the TRS-32 will go down to 5 MOA. (Roughly speaking—3 MOA means that the dot will cover three inches at 100 yards and 5 MOA means that the dot will cover five inches at the same distance.) Although these are the stats from Bushnell, subjectively, the TRS-32 reticle appears smaller.
My initial impression was favorable for both sights, but I wanted to get some hard use behind them and a second opinion. I used both optics for some several months; giving the TRS-25 the majority of the attention. I loaned the TRS-32 to friend from Hyatt Guns, that is active in 3 gun competitions and asked him to put her through her paces. After several weeks he brought the optic back with two thumbs up. For $80-$130 dollars these two little red dots are hard to beat.
The 25’s got some mixed reviews on Amazon.
They appears to be good, for the price.
JoeFabeetz I’ve seen that. Most of the time it seems that those reviewers are comparing it to an Aimpoint micro. It’s not surpassing that a $80 sight loses to a $600 sight. The biggest knock against the little Bushnell (in my opinion) is that you need to power it off when it’s not in use to conserve battery life.
Rev2DaLimit JoeFabeetzAgreed. I actually wouldn’t mind trying out that scope. I don’t need anything expensive. Having to power it down is not a deal breaker for me. Looks like it needs a riser to allow it to co-witness. Why is it every time I think I’m done I see “one more thing” I can use? lol
Sounds good for the money!
JoeFabeetz
I’ve got one on a ar15 pistol. Works great. Not as nice as the aimpoint on the rifle, but plenty sturdy and clear.
I have some time behind a TRS 25. There are definitely better red dots out there, but I am not sure there are better values. It is a great way to try out a red dot, to get started in optics, or to just have an extra one around without breaking the bank.
In a future post I’ll show you where my trs-25 now lives. It’s on a pistol caliber carbine– it’s proven to be a great application for this little fella.
New to all of this. Is it decent at a 100yds?
Will it hold up on an AR10?
I had the TRS-25 and it held up fine to my AK, I knows its not an AR10 but it’s at least .30 caliber . I got rid of it because its small.